Clark, Sulka, Watson earn spots in North-South all-star game

Three area football players have earned nods to the North-South all-star football game.

Bluffton High School center Michael Sulka, Beaufort High School punter Kyle Clark and Whale Branch back Andre Watson will suit up for the South squad. The exhibition will be held Dec. 10 at Myrtle Beach High School's Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.

Sulka is one of the top-rated long snappers in the state and was honored at a few football camps in the offseason for his long snapping. He was named the top long-snapping prospect at the Ray Guy Kicking Academy in May.

As the center for the Bobcats, he has helped transform Bluffton's offense from a run-first mentality to a pass-heavy attack. He anchors a line that protects quarterback C.J. Frazier, who has thrown for 38 touchdowns this season in a pistol shotgun formation.

Clark was also recognized at the Ray Guy camp in May, he as the top kicking prospect. The senior routinely booms kickoffs for touchbacks and entering last week's game at Summerville averaged just shy of 45 yards per punt.

A defender on the Eagles soccer team, Clark's strong leg has set him apart the past two seasons. He splits kicking duties with field goal and extra point kicker Mitchell Stewart, but has converted a field goal this season.

At Whale Branch, Watson proved a timely fit. The utility man transferred in before the season and helped spark a Warriors offense that played most of this season without last season's starting quarterback, Stedmon James.

During the regular season, Watson rushed for 615 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught six passes for 223 yards and two more scores. He completed three of four pass attempts and also handled punting duties for the Warriors, who Friday will host a playoff game for the first time.